Temperature control terminal unit

ABSTRACT

A temperature control terminal unit includes a single-blade volume damper that is positionable by a motor driven operator in accordance with the temperature setting on a thermostat. The volume damper reduces the volume of air delivered to the area being conditioned as the temperature within same approaches a desired value. The unit is further characterized by its ability to utilize the proper volumetric proportions of air for either heating or cooling without upsetting the balance of air in the system and may include a remote supplementary heating source energizable in accordance with the damper position.

United States Patent [1 1 Dean, Jr.

[ 1 May 22, 1973 154] TEMPERATURE CONTROL TERMINAL UNIT [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Tempmaster Corporation, Kansas City,Mo.

[22] Filed: Aug. 8, 1969 21 Appl. No.: 848,496

[52] US. Cl. ..165/39, 165/96, 165/123,

98/38 [51] Int. Cl. ..B60h l/00 [58] Field of Search ..l65/39, 38, 103,

Frank James Dean, Jr., Kansas City,

2,251,881 8/1941 Danielson ..165/22 2,793,812 5/1957 McDonald ..165/22 2,904,316 9/1959 Hagen et al. ..165/126 Primary ExaminerCharles Sukalo Attorney-Scofield, Kokjer, Scofield & Lowe [57] ABSTRACT tioned as the temperature within same approaches a desired value. The unit is further characterized by its ability to utilize the proper volumetric proportions of air for either heating or cooling without upsetting the 56] References Cited balance of air in the system and may include a remote supplementary heating source energizable in ac- UNITED STATES PATENTS cordance with the damper position.

2,109,649 3/1938 Rather ..165/22 5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures WI /9 I t 1 /0 1 I,

T k y y, X l

PATENTEUMAYZZW 3734,1 92

SHEET 2 [IF 2 INVENTOR. Fran/r J. Dean J/'.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL TERMINAL UNIT BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION My temperature control terminal unit is designed to be incorporated with conventional cold air system cooling ducts normally located in the ceiling plenum area of a conventional room or rooms. The device has an inlet which directly connects with the cold air duct on the downstream side and has two other openings, one which may be a diffuser connected to the room being conditioned or inserted in duct systems bypassing air to a ceiling return plenum or to a return air duct. A volume damper is pivotally located relative to the inlet end of the temperature control terminal unit and is operatively positionable by an electric motor driven operator similar to that which was disclosed in my US. Pat. No. 3,363,536 which issued Jan. 16, 1968. The volume damper operates to divert a regulated volumetric proportion of air from the cold air duct into the room or area being conditioned and allows the complementary amount to be returned to a return air duct or within the ceiling plenum. In this manner and with the damper construction, low static pressure loss through the unit is consistent at all times regardless of the damper position and the supply air system will not become unbalanced nor will any fan associated therewith sense any static pressure change.

The unit may be used for cooling only or for heating and cooling with an automatic change-over system. In this manner, one (or two if the system calls for same) microswitch is mounted on the unit inoperable proximity to the motor driven damper operator. The microswitch circuit may include a supplementary heating source either remote with respect'to the unit or as a part thereof so that the terminal unit will control either the warm or cool supply air and will automatically change over the operation of the room thermostat for either heating or cooling. Such a system allows the supplementary heating source to be activated during the cooling cycle upon reaching minimum air volume flow through the diffuser into the room as determined by the damper position or during heating cycle at maximum air setting.

It is an object of my invention to provide a tempera ture control terminal unit which optimalizes the flow of air into a room being conditioned thereby reducing the cost of operating supplementary heating and/or cooling sources associated with the air flow therein.

Another object of my invention is to provide a uniquely constructed temperature control terminal unit of the character described which may be easily incorporated into existing systems and whose universal adaptability with existing systems makes low cost heating and/or cooling available to wider segments of the population.

Another object of my invention is to provide a uniquely constructed system which accomplishes temperature control with slow modulation of air movement so that the change in the air flow into an area being conditioned can neither be heard nor felt. A feature of my invention is that the unit has a slow response to a sensitive thermostat and that the air flow through the unit is levelized with no peaks or valleys.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a uniquely constructed device which permits individual temperature and comfort control units to be located in a plurality of different areas ordinarily serviced bya central or primary cooling and/or heating source. An important feature of this object is that the individual temperature control is accomplished by a compact and inexpensive device which is easily incorporated into existing systems.

Another object of my invention is to provide a temperature control terminal unit which is operable to direct a regulatable volumetric portion of the air from a primary source to an area or room being temperature conditioned and to provide in said temperature control terminal unit, a means for maintaining a constant static pressure drop regardless of the position of the damper.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a temperature control terminal unit of the character described which has a movable volume damper operable to divide the air flow from the primary conditioning source and which has an air stabilizer located thereon to provide a consistent resistance to the air flow regardless of the position of the damper thereby insuring a consistent static pressure drop.

Other and further objects of the invention, together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of the following description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, and are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals indi cate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the temperature control terminal unit interconnected with a ceiling diffuser with portions of the ceiling board and duct work broken away for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the temperature control terminal unit looking at the intake opening associated therewith and rotated from that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the temperature control terminal unit taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the automatic damper operator and microswitch taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the temperature control terminal unit as seen in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a bottom elevational view looking at the outlet or diffuser connected at the end of the temperature control terminal unit and taken generally along the line 66 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the temperature control terminal unit used for cooling purposes, however, with an auxiliary switch for supplementary heating; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram of the temperature control terminal unit used for both heating and cooling with both an auxiliary switch and a change-over switch for supplementary heating.

Turning now more particularly to the drawings, refer ence numeral 10 represents a conventional cold air main duct having an insulated feeding duct 10a interconnecting same with the temperature control terminal unit which is generally designated by the numeral 11. It is generally contemplated that both the duct and the terminal unit 11 willbe located above ceiling board 12 which will be supported in the conventional manner from the hangers generally designated at numeral 13.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the temperature control terminal unit 11 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular box and is constructed ofa zinc coated, heavy gauge steel with an enamel finish same being designated by the numeral 11a. The internal surfaces of the sides 11a are acoustically and thermally insulated with glass fiber 13 (see FIG. 3). In the operative embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the terminal unit includes a flanged inlet and 11b which is constructed of the same type heavy gauge steel asare the sides 11a and which is integrally affixed to unit 11 circumscribing the inlet opening therein. In this manner the flanged collar-like structure provides an interconnecting surface for the feeder duct a so that the air flow therethrough is directed interiorly of the terminal unit.

The upper end of the terminal unit 11 has a similarly upturned flanged end 11c as does the diffuser connected end 1 Id. In this manner, diffuser l5 fits in a telescoping manner over the flanged outlet end 11d and may be fixedly attached thereto by set screws or any other convenient means. A pivot rod 16 is mounted on noiseless nylon bearings (not shown) and extends transversely across the width of the terminal unit and interiorly thereof so that same lies in a horizontal plane which would substantially bisect the inlet opening circumscribed by the flanged collar 11b. As seen in FIG. 2, pivot rod 16 has one end portion that extends exteriorly of the unit. A pair of baffle plates lle and 11f extend respectively from a location adjacent the upper and lower extremities of the inlet opening and converged to a point immediately above and below pivot rod 16. Each baffle plate has a rectangular opening lle and llf' respectively defined therein with each of the openings having a sponge like gasket G circumscribing the surface that is contactable by the later described damper.

The above-mentioned volume damper 17 is fixedly connected with pivot rod 16 so that same is movable with the rod between positions which would effectively close opening lle in baffle plate lle and opening 11]" in baffle plate 11f. For convenience of assembly, volume damper 17 may be affixed to the pivot rod 16 in any convenient manner such as by keying a bearing opening in the inner end of damper 17 to mate with an appropriate lug on rod 16 or by any other convenient means which may more permanently affix the baffle to the pivot rod. When in a damper-closed position, the side of volume damper 17 adjacent the corresponding baffle plate comes in flush contact with the respective gasket G thereby shutting off either outlet 110 or 11d from a communicating path with the inlet 11b of the terminal unit 11. As will be seen, volume damper 17 may likewise assume any desired angular position with respect to the intake end 11b between the two baffle plates lle and 11f.

I have found the ability to maintain constant static pressure and balance of the over-all system is a significant feature in the over-all efficiency of the system operation. Air stabilizer 17a in the form of an angled flange, is fixedly connected on the surface of damper 17 opposite the baffle plate lle. The stabilizer extends substantially the width of volume damper l7 and is positioned relative to baffle plate lle and accordingly sized so that when the damper is closed upon the gasket G of plate lle, air stabilizer 170 may extend through the opening lle and not interfere with the normal closing of the damper. The operation of air stabilizer is such that when damper 17 is at a mid point equally dividing the air flow between outlet 11c and 11d, the stabilizer offers a sufficient resistance to the air flow to create a constant system static pressure.

A series of diffusing vanes 18 are located on the downstream side of baffle plate 1 l f and effectively span the width of opening 11f. These vanes (18) are rigidly interconnected with the turned down sides of plate 11f, if any, or with the inner surface of sides 11a and are parallel with respect to each other to direct the flow of air therethrough toward outlet end 11d of the terminal unit.

As suggested above, my terminal unit includes an automatic electric volume damper operator which is generally shown by the numeral 19 and which may be similar in nature to the damper operator disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,363,536, however, it should be pointed out that pneumatic operators may also be used. For convenience of assembly, the compact terminal unit has the motor and damper operator bolted to the side of terminal unit 11 on the exterior thereof so that same is operatively adjacent pivot rod 16. This damper operator includes a low horsepower, low torque reversible synchronous motor M which is energized from the secondary of a 24 volt transformer T through a room thermostat (see FIGS. 7 and 8) discussed in more detail infra. The motor drives a linear thrust screw which in turn either extends or retracts operator bar 19a depending upon the direction of rotation of the thrust screw. Operator bar 19a and pivot arm 16 are interconnected by a conventional damper linkage L of the type which maintains positive but adjustable control over the pivotal movement of arm 16 in accordance with the direction of movement of operator bar 19a. For example, with operator bar 19a fully extended, the volume damper 17 would be closed against gasket G on baffle plate lle. Likewise, with operator bar 19 completely retracted, the volume damper 17 would be closed against gasket G on baffle plate 11f, however, the normal operating position of volume damper 17 being somewhere in between the two above-mentioned closed positions.

As clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, a microswitch 20 with actuator arm 20a is connected to the underside of the damper operator casing. The forward end portion of damper operator bar 19a has its interconnection with the linkage L starting thereat and includes a transversely extending connecting means such as nut 19b. This nut (19b) is in the line of travel of the actuating arm of microswitch 20 so that microswitch 20 will be closed when nut 19b is in contact with operating arm 20a, however the arm is biased to flex outwardly away from the conventional microswitch button when nut 19b no longer contacts same. Accordingly, as operator bar 1% is extended, switch actuating arm 20a releases the microswitch button and the associated circuit will be opened. As will be seen, this microswitch (and circuit connections) may be utilized to operate a supplementary heat source or will control either warm or cool supply air sources and will automatically change over the operation of the room thermostat for heating or cooling.

Turning now more specifically to the schematic and block diagrams shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, my temperature control terminal unit operatively includes the utilization of a supplementary heat source. I have schematically shown supplementary heat source 21 as an electric coil, however, it is contemplated that same could also include hot water heat and/or other conventional baseboard heaters remotely located from the terminal unit or the coil may be a conventional relay coil depending on the current load. Also, electric coil 21 (or any of the equivalents mentioned above) could be located downstream from baffle plate 11f between the opening 11f and the outlet end 11d on which diffuser 15 would normally be located. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 indicates that the damper operator 19 may be used with a conventional room thermostat 22 in order to control the amount of cool air delivered to exactly match the room requirements. When room thermostat 22 indicates that the desired temperature has been reached, the automatically positioned damper 17 in the terminal unit will divert the excess airthrough outlet 11c to the return air system. The air supply system will not be unbalanced and the fan associated therewith will not sense any static pressure change.

By adding microswitch 20 in close proximity with damper operator bar 19a and its associated, depending structure 1%, a supplementary heat source 21 may be optimally controlled. For example, when. minimum air supply has been realized and additional heat is necessary, the damper operator 19a.will have moved to the .25

left (as seen in FIG. 7) closing microswitch 20 and turning on the supplementary heat source. When the thermostat indicates that the temperature conditioned area is warm enough or too warm, the motor M operates to rotate the associated screw, forces operator bar 190 to the right, which accordingly increases the volume of cool air flow into the subject area and opens microswitch 20 thereby shutting off the supplementary heat supply 21.

FIG. 8 discloses the use of a change-over duct thermostat 23 (two single pole, double throw switches) with the temperature control terminal unit. With change-over thermostat 23 sensing the supply air temperature, the terminal unit will control either warm or cool air and will automatically change-over operation of thermostat 22 for heating or cooling. By addingand additional microswitch20b, and connecting same in parallel with the supplementary heat source 21, the supplementary heat source may be activated during the cooling cycle upon reaching a minimum air setting or during the heating cycle at a maximum air setting. In this manner the terminal unit has increased versatility and the volume damper accordingly reacts to supply the optimum volumetric proportions of primary air to the room in conjunction with the activation of the supplementary heating source.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the struc ture.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utilityand may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim:

l. A temperature control terminal unit, said unit operable to be utilized with an air conditioning system having a primary air source and at least one duct associated therewith, said unit comprising 5 an inlet opening, said opening operable to be interconnected to said air duct from the primary air source,

at least two outlet openings located in said unit downstream from said inlet opening, one of said outlet openings in communicating relationship with an area being temperature conditioned by said unit, the other of said outlet openings in communicating relationship with a return air means,

means for dividing the flow of air from said primary air source between said outlet openings in accordance with only the temperature of the area being conditioned, said dividing means having a plurality of positions, and

means located on said dividing means for providing a substantially consistent pressure drop within said unit regardless of the position of said dividing means.

2. The invention as in claim 1 wherein said dividing means includes a damper, said damper being swingably mounted within said unit and operable to divert complementary portions of said air flow entering said unit from said inlet through said outlet openings, the volumetric size of said complementary portions of said air 3D flow being dependent on the position of said damper,

and

means for moving said damper in accordance with the temperature of said area being conditioned, said moving means being operable to reduce the volume of said airflow into said area as the temperature of said area approaches. a desired value.

3. A temperature control terminal unit, said unit operable to be utilized with an air conditioning system having a primary air source and at least one duct associated therewith, said unit comprising an inlet opening, said opening operable to be interconnected to said air duct from the primary air source,

at least two outlet openings located in said unit down stream from sad inlet opening, one of said outlet openings in communicating relationship with an area being temperature conditioned by said unit, the other of said outlet openings in communicating relationship with a return air means,

.a damper, said damper being located within said unit downstream from said inlet opening and operable to divert complementary portions of said air flow through and out of said outlet openings, a pivot rod, said damper being fixedly attached at one end thereof to said pivot rod, means for moving said pivot rod and said damper inaccordance with the temperature in saidarea being temperature conditioned, and diffusing vanes located between said damper andone of said outlet. openings, said vanes operable to direct the air flow through said one of said openings, and means for providing a substantiallyconsistent pressure dropiwithin said unit regardless of. the position of said. damper.

.4. A temperature control terminal unit, said terminal unit operable to be utilized with anair conditioning system having a primary air source and at least one duct associated therewith, said unit comprising 7 8 an inlet opening, said opening operable to be interdamper, and wherein said providing means inconnected to said air duct from a primary air cludes a means located on said damper for assuring source, a resistance to air flow from said inlet opening and at least two outlet openings located in said unit downout Said Outlet Openings regardless f the position stream from said inlet opening, one of said outlet openings in communicating relationship with an area being temperature conditioned by said unit, the other of said outlet openings in communicating relationship with a return air means,

of said damper.

5. The invention as in claim 4 wherein said resistance assuring means includes an air stabilizer fixedly attached to said damper, said stabilizer having at least a a swingable damper located within said unit down- 10 poftion thereof extendiflg anglflarly from a Surface Stream from Said inlet opening means for position said damper so that said stabilizer offers more resising Said damper in accordance with the temperatance to said air flow from said inlet opening than does ture in aid area being conditioned means for prosaid damper when said damper iS in a preselected anguviding a substantially consistent pressure drop lar position with respect to said inlet opening.

within said unit regardless of the position of said 

1. A temperature control terminal unit, said unit operable to be utilized with an air conditioning system having a primary air source and at least one duct associated therewith, said unit comprising an inlet opening, said opening operable to be interconnected to said air duct from the primary air source, at least two outlet openings located in said unit downstream from said inlet opening, one of said outlet openings in communicating relationship with an area being temperature conditioned by said unit, the other of said outlet openings in communicating relationship with a return air means, means for dividing the flow of air from said primary air source between said outlet openings in accordance with only the temperature of the area being conditioned, said dividing means having a plurality of positions, and means located on said dividing means for providing a substantially consistent pressure drop within said unit regardless of the position of said dividing means.
 2. The invention as in claim 1 wherein said dividing means includes a damper, said damper being swingably mounted within said unit and operable to divert complementary portions of said air flow entering said unit from said inlet through said outlet openings, the volumetric size of said complementary portions of said air flow being dependent on the position of said damper, and means foR moving said damper in accordance with the temperature of said area being conditioned, said moving means being operable to reduce the volume of said air flow into said area as the temperature of said area approaches a desired value.
 3. A temperature control terminal unit, said unit operable to be utilized with an air conditioning system having a primary air source and at least one duct associated therewith, said unit comprising an inlet opening, said opening operable to be interconnected to said air duct from the primary air source, at least two outlet openings located in said unit downstream from sad inlet opening, one of said outlet openings in communicating relationship with an area being temperature conditioned by said unit, the other of said outlet openings in communicating relationship with a return air means, a damper, said damper being located within said unit downstream from said inlet opening and operable to divert complementary portions of said air flow through and out of said outlet openings, a pivot rod, said damper being fixedly attached at one end thereof to said pivot rod, means for moving said pivot rod and said damper in accordance with the temperature in said area being temperature conditioned, and diffusing vanes located between said damper and one of said outlet openings, said vanes operable to direct the air flow through said one of said openings, and means for providing a substantially consistent pressure drop within said unit regardless of the position of said damper.
 4. A temperature control terminal unit, said terminal unit operable to be utilized with an air conditioning system having a primary air source and at least one duct associated therewith, said unit comprising an inlet opening, said opening operable to be interconnected to said air duct from a primary air source, at least two outlet openings located in said unit downstream from said inlet opening, one of said outlet openings in communicating relationship with an area being temperature conditioned by said unit, the other of said outlet openings in communicating relationship with a return air means, a swingable damper located within said unit downstream from said inlet opening, means for positioning said damper in accordance with the temperature in said area being conditioned, means for providing a substantially consistent pressure drop within said unit regardless of the position of said damper, and wherein said providing means includes a means located on said damper for assuring a resistance to air flow from said inlet opening and out said outlet openings regardless of the position of said damper.
 5. The invention as in claim 4 wherein said resistance assuring means includes an air stabilizer fixedly attached to said damper, said stabilizer having at least a portion thereof extending angularly from a surface of said damper so that said stabilizer offers more resistance to said air flow from said inlet opening than does said damper when said damper is in a preselected angular position with respect to said inlet opening. 